The following “letter” is part of the continuing series from the unpublished novel by James Garrett, “Benicia Letters Once More”. He does not plan to publish the book but instead is choosing to share the letters with the readers of the Benicia Herald. The letters continue the storyline of Garrett’s first novel “Benicia and Letters of Love”. Each “letter” tells of love in one of its many forms from a separate point of view. Benicia is represented prominently in the letters because of Garrett’s deep fondness for the city of Benicia. He hopes readers see themselves or others they know in the letters because the concept of “Love” is universal.

Jim,
As much as I love Benicia, and wouldn’t want to live anywhere else, I would have also loved to have lived here 200 years ago.
You know I like to hunt and fish, and from what I’ve heard and read the area around here was great for each. You told our California History class how the Hudson Bay Company (you also said it was referred to as “Here Before Christ”) came through this area trapping twice a year.
Something else you told us was about a sailing ship being out in the straits and as a boat crew was rowing to shore there was a bear swimming across the straits near by.
Even when I was younger, there were times when hundreds of square acres of the straits were dark with patches of ducks.
When you told of the dead deer which had washed up at the foot of West “G” and West Second streets and that it had been shot I thought what a waste it was. I’ve seen dead deer alongside the road out along East Second and the Lake Herman area. There must have been huge numbers of deer a couple hundred years ago.
I know you were a fine shot from seeing you shoot that one time. I would have enjoyed comparing our abilities on the hunt, but I know you won’t hunt anything anymore.
I often fish in the straits, either alone or with one or two others. You won’t go with me, and I understand. You told me you had spent enough time on small boats.
I’ve read of the time there was fresh water out in the straits as far down as the Carquinez Bridge and there was a lot of different water life and more of them than now. Salt water intrusion from diverting water to Southern California and pollution has done that.
Still, I love being out there, not just to fish but to look back at Benicia.
I have to travel farther to do some of the hunting and fishing I enjoy now than guys had to do years ago. I envy those guys who could pick up their rifle or fishing gear, go out for a few hours and come back with food for the table that evening.
It is easy to picture in the mind’s eye that time of the past.
Jason

James Garrett is a lifelong resident of Benicia and a former teacher at Benicia High School. He is the author of the following novels: “Benicia and Letters of Love,” “The Mansion Stories,” “Chief Salt,” and “One Great Season, 9-0!” He also compiled a three-volume work titled “The Golden Era: Benicia High School Football, The 1948 through 1960 Seasons, “A” History with Comments.”
He can be contacted at jgstoriesnpoetry@aol.com.

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